In Ukraine, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers was established in accordance with the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated April 30, 2003, No. 374/2003, and is celebrated annually on May 29.
On May 29, 1948, the United Nations Security Council established the first peacekeeping mission.
The first two peacekeeping operations deployed by the UN were the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) and the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). Both of these missions, which continue to operate to this day, were examples of observation and monitoring type operations. UN military observers were unarmed.
Since then, the UN has deployed over 70 peacekeeping operations. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of military personnel, as well as tens of thousands of UN police and other civilians from more than 120 countries have participated in UN peacekeeping operations.
More than 3,000 UN peacekeepers from approximately 120 countries have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag.
The very first armed peacekeeping operation was the First United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF I), successfully deployed in 1956 to resolve the Suez Crisis.
In 1988, UN peacekeepers were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At that time, the Nobel Committee noted that "the peacekeeping forces have made an important contribution to the realization of one of the fundamental principles of the United Nations. Thus, the global organization began to play a more central role in world affairs and enjoys increasing trust."
Peacekeeping missions involve both military personnel, UN police, and civilians. For the first time, police officers were deployed to carry out a mission in the UN operation in the Congo in 1960.
Ukraine is an active participant in UN peacekeeping activities. Since 1992, Ukrainian military and police have participated in over 27 international peacekeeping and security operations, including in countries such as Kosovo, Lebanon, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Iraq.
The very first mission where Ukrainian military personnel were involved took place in Bosnia. A separate 240th peacekeeping battalion was formed for this purpose.
UN peacekeepers have long been the best hope for peace.
Their service and self-sacrifice – often in harsh and dangerous conditions – have made the "Blue Helmets" a symbol of hope for millions of people.